Amid the craziness that is the COVID-19 outbreak, when most businesses are cutting back on their plans, a truly unique cannabis brand launched, not with a whisper, but with a shout.

Just days before 4/20, the honorary day of cannabis celebration, CLSICS introduced its rosin infused cannabis pre-rolls exclusively to customers at San Diego dispensary Mankind with a one of a kind launch that needs to be experienced first hand.

I had the chance to chat with CLSICS Founder and CEO Mathew Trautt to learn more about what sets his brand apart, why they choose to launch their brand during an pandemic, and the reason you shouldn’t miss the brand’s pop-up art installation at Mankind.  

Launching a Genuine Brand

In my nearly decade long career writing about cannabis and reviewing cannabis brands, I’ve spoken with countless heads of cannabis companies who speak passionately about how their brand stands above the competition. Rarely though, does it come across as authentic as with CLSICS.

During my conversation with Trautt, it became clear that he built CLSICS to be an extension of San Diego’s – and by proxy his – aesthetic. It is this spirit that runs through the brand’s packaging, its marketing, and most significantly, its bold launch earlier this month. 

Part of creating a genuine brand, of course, is selling quality products that you believe in. For CLSICS, it started with a simple question. “What is it that you want to smoke? For everyone here, it was flower and rosin,” Trautt said.

CLSICS comes out of the gate with a stunner. The brand’s first products are from its line of rosin infused pre-roll cones. The cones start with top quality buds of indoor grown flower and never shake or trim. This already sets the bar higher than most competitors are willing to clear. CLSICS then ups the ante by adding a stripe of rosin and finishing with a roll in finely ground cannabis flower. 

Looking for a way to bring clean, flavorful, and potent rosin to a wider audience, CLSICS landed on pre-rolls as a delivery method for a simple reason – accessibility. Customers won’t need to invest in pricey dab rigs in order to enjoy quality rosin. All they need is a lighter and a relaxing place to enjoy it. 

“What we found in our extensive R&D work, which consisted mostly of smoking a lot of pre-rolls,” joked Trautt, “is that you still get the rosin effect and the rosin flavor and that long lasting really smooth feeling high you are looking for [from rosin] in a pre-roll.”

CLSICS pre-rolls are available in 0.7 and 1.3 gram options. The 1.3 gram option has one gram of flower with 0.3 grams of bud squeezed rosin. The 0.7 gram option has 0.5 grams of flower and 0.2 grams of rosin. 

“Infused pre-rolls that are coming out primarily use distillate. So we started talking about infusing pre-rolls with rosin,” Trautt said of the process to create CLSICS pre-rolls with rosin instead of distillate in order to up their quality. 

“If you’re not using a [prefilled] cart, pre-rolls are the next option for on the go smoking. There really are no rosin [products] for on the go,” said Trautt of the inspiration for their products. The company tried a number of options before finding that tarantula style joints with the rosin placed on the outside and then rolled in flower created the ideal experience. 

Creating a Positive Experience

I came to learn something about this brand from my conversation with Trautt. CLSICS is a lifestyle brand – and that lifestyle happens to also include cannabis. 

But it’s more than just marijuana, and Trautt revealed that the company deliberately navigated their brand’s inception so that it isn’t just another cannabis brand. Pulling inspiration from Southern California’s vibrant art scene, the company teamed up with Trautt’s good friend, the artist BB Bastidas, to breathe life into the brand. 

This is evident throughout the CLSICS website and packaging, but it is most obvious in how they chose to launch their brand. In partnership with San Diego’s Mankind, CLSICS has created a pop-up art experience in the lobby of the dispensary with artwork created by BB Bastidas. The immersive experience will be on display for six weeks beginning April 17.

“We don’t want to do our pop-up shop where there’s a couple paintings on the wall and we are here to sell [our products]. We believe we are in something that no one is going to forget about in 2020. What are those things? Coronavirus and Joe Exotic,” Trautt said of the hallmarks of our current situation. 

You only get to leave the house for specific reasons and sometimes only for minutes at a time. How do you positively impact those experiences? 

Coming to a Dispensary Near You

Why launch a new brand during a global pandemic? Trautt said his team had considered waiting it out and launching when the risk had passed, but instead they decided to push forward.

“People still need their medicine. People still need to be able to stay sane while they’re inside. And we believe we can bring help,” Trautt shared.

While the company had originally planned to launch in multiple locations to start, the recent pandemic forced them to scale back to just one in their hometown of San Diego. So to make it memorable, they pulled out all the stops. 

“Our launch may not be what we wanted it to be, but we picked the right partner in San Diego to do it in our hometown with people who know us. That’s why it’s exclusive now at Mankind. It is what we can do to keep our employees safe.”

Trautt revealed that additional launches in dispensaries around Southern California will soon follow. Check out the CLSICS website for more or follow them on Instagram for the latest. If you live in the San Diego area, stop by Mankind to experience CLSICS pop-up for yourself. 

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What do cultivators of tree nuts, edible seeds, spices, dried fruit, and cannabis have in common? They’re using radio frequency technology.

Radio frequency technology has been used in the food industry for a decade to make common household foods such as almonds safe for consumption – and now, cannabis cultivators are using it to reduce total yeast and mold count.

Cannabis regulations regarding yeast and mold are strict in order to ensure consumer safety. In Colorado and Nevada, agencies require cannabis to have a total yeast and mold count of ≤ 10,000 colony forming units per gram.

Some cannabis cultivators report success with using radio frequency technology by custom systems company Ziel to control yeast and mold count while keeping product quality high. 

Headquartered in Sacramento, CA, Ziel’s team of microbiologists, engineers, food scientists, and food safety professionals are experienced in designing and building custom process systems for the food industry since 2008. The company’s APEX System is serving cannabis cultivators by killing targeted pathogens, using the same innovative processes that treat household peanuts, pistachios and pumpkin seeds.

Ziel is focused on chemical-free, non-polluting solutions that are energy and space efficient alternatives. The company made its way into the cannabis space by working with Colorado-based cultivators Los Sueños Farms and The Green Solution.

Ketch DeGabrielle, former operations manager of Los Sueños Farms, said his outdoor growing operation tried ozone treatment, ultraviolet light, and microwave technologies to meet yeast and mold regulations, but all had a detrimental effect on product quality or potency.

DeGabrielle wrote “One square centimeter of mold can produce over 2,065,000,000 spores. If all of those landed on cannabis it would be enough to cause over 450 pounds of cannabis to fail testing, even if those spores remained ungerminated.”

Innovative Cannabis Product: APEX System

Ziel’s patent-pending radio frequency treatment process used in its innovative cannabis product, the APEX System, helps cultivators meet regulatory standards while preserving potency and terpenes using a non-toxic treatment method.

APEX treats batch sizes between 3-20 pounds in less than 10 minutes, treats cannabis pre- or post-cure, offers high terpene retention with limited to no THC loss or decarboxylation, and modifies moisture levels +/- 0.5%, according to the company website.

APEX works by first placing up to 20 pounds of cannabis in the machine to monitor the temperature in real time. “Radio frequency is then applied at 27.12 MHz creating an oscillating electromagnetic field between two electrodes, which causes polar molecules, such as water, present in the cannabis, to oscillate.

The rapid internal oscillation of the polar molecules generates heat volumetrically, which then kills targeted pathogens including yeast and mold. Processing time is typically 15 minutes or less.”

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Beauty cannabis products with non-psychoactive CBD or cannabidiol hemp oil ingredients are going mainstream with celebrity endorsements and distribution agreements.

The beauty industry does most of its business online, which makes it easy for consumers to order some hemp-based lotion or cannabis-infused lip balm. In 2015, the beauty industry saw $6.2 billion (nearly 8 percent) of its sales occur online, according to market reports. The global cosmetics market is expected to reach $429.8 billion by 2022.

Some beauty giants are already carrying hemp-based products. Beauty megastore Ulta carries several hemp beauty brands. Other retailers are holding back due to legal complications, as CBD and hemp products are allowed in some states, banned in other states, and federally frowned upon.

But the industrial hemp industry is quietly growing stronger with bi-partisan support for the Industrial Hemp Farming Act. It would only take a couple congressional approvals before CBD and hemp-based consumer products are widely available in drugstores, health stores, supermarkets and beauty stores across the United States.

Besides legal limitations, retailers are primarily concerned with quality control and seek to offer only products with high-quality CBD oil and hemp ingredients, according to Business of Fashion.

“The trick is finding a brand that is able to put this powerful ingredient to work in a modern formula with beautiful packaging,” Credo Beauty CEO Annie Jackson told Forbes. “As merchants, we are constantly on the lookout for brands that both formulate beautifully with hemp-derived CBD but also comply with our ingredient standard — which has been a tall order.” Credo stores, which are known for favoring natural beauty products, will be carrying cannabis beauty products including lip balms by Vertly starting this month.

Kicking off California’s recreational legalization, Bellacures salon made national headlines this month for offering a ‘Canna-cure’ spa treatment in partnership with Kush Queen. The treatment includes CBD-infused chocolate, scrub, and lotion. Beauty editors for Us Weekly, Refinery29, Fashionista, and Hollywood Reporter wrote about the experience.

Cannabis industry leaders have hinted at a cannabinoid beauty products boom for the last few years. Women control over $20 trillion in annual consumer spending globally, according to Harvard Business Review.

Tonya Watts, CEO of Dazey Hemp which creates hemp seed oil skin care products, said “When I began learning about all the natural benefits of hemp seed oil as well as cannabis, I was completely blown away. I truly believe that mother nature meant for us to utilize this plant to heal ourselves from whatever need be.”

Some cannabis brands take inspiration from the self-titled “stoner girls” of Instagram who post magazine-style photos of themselves using cannabis products. On Instagram, which is the primary platform in developing beauty industry trends, #girlswhosmokeweed has over 2 million tags.

Jane West, who makes personally branded cannabis accessories for women, offers a travel container for cannabis accessories that looks just like a makeup compact. “Women are getting more and more curious about cannabis and how to incorporate it into our lives,” West said.

Newly essential to my party purse: @highgorgeousofficial cherry Cannabis Kiss lip balm! It’s got sassy packaging, classic cherry candy flavor and isn’t a greasebomb. A fun and discrete way to incorporate cannabis into your daily beauty routine. #cannabisfeminist #cherrychapstick #whatsinmybag #kushqueen #stonedandfabulous #margjane #cannabislife #cannabis #cannabissocial

A post shared by rachel burkons (@smokesipsavor) on Sep 17, 2017 at 11:51am PDT

Cannabis beauty products in the news

Cannabis industry leader Medical Marijuana, Inc. has its own line of CBD skincare products which have been featured in beauty round-ups by Elle Magazine, Vogue Magazine, USA Today and more. “Cannabis Beauty Defined® is the first luxury beauty line featuring CBD hemp oil. Formulated for those who care about lasting, youthful skin, this anti-aging line of products contains CBD hemp oil and exclusive Bi-Bong herbal blends for dynamic skincare, yet all products in the brand are created free of dyes, fragrances, parabens, and sulfates,” according to the website.

Cannabis skincare brand Lord Taylor was recently interviewed by Forbes, which predicts that “cannabis could be the most profitable ingredient in skincare.” Lord Taylor’s CBD-infused body lotion has been endorsed by celebrities like Olivia Wilde and Mandy Moore, with a full feature on the brand’s celebrity endorsements in PageSix.

Cannabis lip products and makeup brand Vertly has been featured in Vogue, Allure Magazine and POPSUGAR.

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CBD-infused sparkling water is coming to gas stations and convenience stores across the western United States this year as Mountjoy Sparkling finalized an agreement with Green Reef Distributing.

Mountjoy Sparkling offers two cannabinoid infused sparkling water products – one with THC and one with CBD – in a variety of flavors. The percentage of cannabinoids in Mountjoy Sparkling’s THC beverage and in the new CBD beverage is 10 mg.

The CBD-infused sparkling water was launched this month. The THC version of Mountjoy Sparkling has been available through dispensaries and delivery services throughout California including Riverside Wellness, Harborside, Ketama, Delta Delivery, Megan’s Organics, and Santa Barbara Care Center.

In a recent interview, Mountjoy Sparkling Water CEO Alex Mountjoy said in an industry that is producing increasingly familiar products, his brand aims to produce high quality consumer goods at the level of national brands.

With wider distribution, the company anticipates national advertising. “We are anticipating being able to launch national ads as our new beverage makes its way in to gas stations and convenience stores across the western U.S,” Mountjoy said.

“Mountjoy CBD is a full-spectrum product derived from hemp, and, unlike THC, does not evoke a psychoactive response when consumed. Mountjoy’s unique process creates an interactive synergy or ‘entourage effect’ that magnifies the therapeutic benefits of the hemp plant’s individual components. The new beverage will be offered in natural, orange and peach flavors,” according to a release.

“We are excited to launch Mountjoy Sparkling into the marketplace,” said Nick Gagliardi, CEO of Green Reef Distributing, Inc. “We, at Green Reef, strive to find the best products in cannabis and bring them to market. We strongly feel Mountjoy is a best of class beverage company and believe the consumers will love the taste and quality of products.”

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The cannabis industry has a unique ability to reach out and influence other business sectors, perhaps more than any other industry in America. In this case, MedSpoon.com’s free cannabis food network and food platform is an excellent blend of technology, user experience, food consumption, and the cannabis plant.

MedSpoon’s site offers an interactive, informative, and free user customizable experience that, according to Founder Victor Cloud, will provide cannabis consumers with an experience that is unique to the cannabis space. For example, users can create a confidential profile where they can save recipes, add their own reviews, or even post their own creations.

MedSpoon is working with chefs inside the industry as well as high-profile, Michelin Star quality chefs so that they can bring the most innovative, creative, and unique collaborations between cannabis and food. Medspoon.com launched April 20, 2015, at the Denver Cannabis Cup, and we recently caught up with Victor to ask him about the new web platform.

What is MedSpoon?

MedSpoon is an interactive cannabis recipe website dedicated to teaching and sharing the countless ways of cooking with cannabis. Users can join the site anonymously, use and review recipes, or even post their own creations. While this is the focus of MedSpoon, they haven’t stopped there, as they have launched a variety of new features recently.

A new ‘Achievement’ section will let users earn achievements and gain status as they complete activities listed on the site, like a holiday recipe contest, for example. Additionally, the site will host a series of ‘How To’ videos, which will feature contributing chefs as well as approved user video channels. The overall goal is to create a community of people who enjoy cooking and experimenting in the kitchen with cannabis. Also, in the update is a newsfeed section for the site devoted solely to announcements and updates that impact MedSpoon’s users and the edibles industry.

“MedSpoon is a community-based website for chefs and cooking enthusiasts to learn, share and eat cannabis recipes. Our whole focus is cannabis cuisine. We provide users with tools for recipe sorting, recipe management, assembling cookbooks and everything else that deals with cannabis cooking. From infusions and entrees to desserts and drinks. We want to be the go-to resource for people who like to cook at home or are cooking for a loved one.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

Who can provide the site with recipes?

Currently, MedSpoon has built up its recipe database through a collection of talents, some of whom are recognized in the cannabis edibles or private dining communities. However, MedSpoon’s technology and interactive user experience will let cannabis aficionados post their own recipes through their anonymous accounts. Also, MedSpoon is always seeking new and exciting recipe contributions from notable chefs both inside and outside of the cannabis community.

“We’ve been in communication with a number of different chefs that have a market presence already in the cannabis industry. We’ve reached out to Chefs like Cannabis Cheri, Jeff the 4/20 Chef, The Herbal Chef, and Magical Butter. There are numerous Chefs that we’ve connected with through social media and many more to be found. We’ve learned these chefs, and cooking enthusiasts, are excited about contributing to the community and they have come up with some really mind-blowing dishes. It has been really great to connect and see their energy and enthusiasm about the industry and their trade. We’re just growing organically at the moment.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

User Experience

MedSpoon is a free, open website that works for everyone from the entry level cannabis cook to the seasoned pro who is perfecting his/her brownie recipe. You don’t need to create a user profile if you want to browse recipes on the site. However, creating that anonymous profile opens up a world of streamlining options. When you join the MedSpoon community through a free, anonymous user account, you create the ability to post your own recipes, reviews of other recipes, and create a personal cookbook with your own saved recipes.

On the video side, users can vote on their favorite recipes, where winners will be made into “how to” videos for the website. Additionally, users are invited to earn “achievements” through the MedSpoon community via contests or other goals.

“We provide people step-by-step instructions with pictures that correspond with each step to try to make following a recipe as simple and easy as possible. I’ve always been a fan of people who provide recipes with step-by-step photography, as someone who’s interested in cooking but couldn’t call myself a chef. Those tools are really helpful to me, so I wanted to make sure that, when we built a website, it has that kind of user-friendliness aspect to it.” ­– Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

Sorting Through The Content

With the ability to host an uncapped amount of professional and user-generated content, MedSpoon had to factor in a sorting tool. Users can sort through a myriad of different filters that will cover everything from time spent on a recipe to top recipe reviews. Each recipe will be sorted by an intricate tagging system that will allow users to search for breakfast versus dinner items or desserts versus snacks, for example.

MedSpoon is fully expecting to become a hub for a vast amount of information, so it built these search optimization tools into the center of its technology to be prepared for growth.

“We spent a lot of time coming up with a way to sort through recipes. Using MedSpoon you can sort by trending, what recipes are new, what has the highest rank, how the reviews are for that recipe. You can sort by how long you have to cook in the kitchen because some of these recipes can take a couple hours to do if you’re patient about it and looking for a high-dose recipe and so forth.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

Do It Yourself

Through the creation of an online community, Victor Cloud hopes that MedSpoon users will share and create their own unique recipes that will innovate cannabis cooking. Given that the cannabis community is one of the most collaborative and competitive spaces around, one can only imagine how high quality these dishes will end up being.

“Our goal is to teach people the basics of how to put cannabis into food. We want to build a fun community where people share feedback and comment on other user submissions. Maybe someone posts a recipe with salmon and you have a killer sauce that would work great with it. Our site will allow you to interact with other users to actually propel the cannabis cooking space forward. We’re very pro-sharing and very pro-user submitted content. We see that as the best way to maximize the user experience.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

Video Tutorials

MedSpoon realizes that more traditional, hard copy recipes might not be friendly to every type of consumer in the market. With that in mind, they will be creating video content for the site, as well. Users of MedSpoon will be able to log in and vote for their favorite recipes, which will then be made into an easy to follow instructional video depending on the voting results. Again, the aim of MedSpoon is to create a user experience like no other in the space, and this is a great example of user interaction that is setting MedSpoon apart.

“I’ve always been interested in short, educational videos. To me, there is no better way to convey recipes and techniques than through visual education? Medspoon.com plans to provide an educational aspect to video content through cooking demonstrations and step-by-step recipe creations.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

Want To Be A Star?

As mentioned earlier, one of the overall goals for MedSpoon is to create a user community around a shared common interest of cooking with cannabis. To make that experience even more fun, MedSpoon will open up an application process to becoming a featured video contributor on the site. Those who make the grade will be able to reach out to the entire MedSpoon community and share their recipes, techniques, and tips for great cooking.

“We want to position ourselves to become the Food Network of the cannabis industry. In order to do that, we are building a community that supports creativity, hard work, and excellence. We’re providing users the chance to rise above the crowd and grow their own following. Who knows, maybe the next big chef in America will get their start right here.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

Target Audience

There are a couple of key demographics that should be interested in MedSpoon. Cannabis users will love the site because, in addition to what we have already highlighted, MedSpoon provides alternatives to smoking or directly inhaling cannabis. For those who don’t like the taste of edibles, they can find a recipe that truly masks the flavor, allowing them to obtain the desired results.

In addition to cannabis consumers, foodies are another demo that MedSpoon looks to attract. Their education content, combined with step-by-step recipes, will allow those who love food, but typically don’t cook, to break down that barrier and start having some fun in the kitchen.

“We’re really aiming at anyone who likes to cook, simple as that. The great part about cooking with cannabis is that it is a much healthier way for patients to consume their medicine. Instead of ingesting harmful carcinogens, patients can enjoy a quality meal while medicating at the same time. Additionally, this delivery system stays in the system longer and can affect the patient more deeply.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

Impact

MedSpoon hopes to influence the cannabis industry by providing a clean, professional platform, where users can discuss cooking techniques with professional chefs who know what they are talking about, be it the calculation of THC content, proper dosing, or other concerns.

“We’re proud of what we’ve created in terms of making a really clean, professional looking recipe website that any person, whether they’re a senior, a veteran or a casual consumer, can visit without getting that feeling of a dirty, stoner website. Food is a staple in almost everybody’s life, and we hope that we can be that resource for the community.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

How Is MedSpoon Different?

Community. Victor noticed that there was a good amount of cannabis cooking information available to the public. However, it is scattered and non-interactive for the most part. Sure, there might be a site with great recipes or another with a popular blog, but MedSpoon.com wants to host every aspect of the culinary cannabis space while at the same time creating a sense of community.

“The reason food lovers and cannabis consumers will come here is the same reason why they might go to Amazon or Nordstrom’s. We’re compiling the highest quality resources into one place, making MedSpoon a one-stop-shop for all you cannabis cooking needs.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

Who is Victor Cloud, Founder of MedSpoon?

“MedSpoon is a combination of the things that I’m passionate about. I have always been a foodie myself. I’m an optimistic guy who travels often and loves to eat. It’s what I do already, so being able to find a way to integrate cannabis into food has been a discovery process for myself. I’m more of a techie but I’ve been exploring food, and I love photography. I’ve had always been interested in Photoshop and food photography, so MedSpoon is really just a blending of the things that I love. I noticed that there were great chefs who were cooking with cannabis and, perhaps just as important, there was a significant amount of interest from the cannabis community to learn more about the culinary aspect of cannabis. All of this information was out there, but there really wasn’t a place for all of it to come together and form a unified community. I decided to work hard and bring together the cannabis foodie community as a whole.” – Victor Cloud – Founder of MedSpoon

What impact do you think MedSpoon is going to have on the cannabis community? Would you use this new platform? Join the conversation and comment below!

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Getting a medical cannabis recommendation is often the start of a beautiful relationship between patient and plant.

Unfortunately, the process of getting a physician’s recommendation has gotten a bad rap due to unwelcoming doctor’s cannabis clinics and widespread abuse of the medical cannabis system in general. Many qualified patients still do not seek out a recommendation because they think the process will be too time-intensive, too expensive, too embarrassing, or their personal information will somehow be exposed.

One company decided to package their expertise from the larger telehealth field, and apply it to changing the system of medical cannabis recommendations. Introducing HelloMD – one of the fastest-growing online communities serving today’s cannabis user.

They now operate legally in California, with more states on the way, providing online doctor consultations and recommendations, and it comes with a SAS (Software As a Service) solution that helps cannabis retailers acquire new patients and renew existing ones. Read on to learn more about how this technology platform could be the future of medical cannabis recommendations.

Purpose

Capitalizing on the dissatisfaction with the legacy process in place for medical cannabis consults, and on the growing demand for cannabis as a wellness solution, HelloMD aims to be the premium brand offering online consultations, medical recommendations, health and wellness news, product information, and education.

It appears to be working, HelloMD is adding thousands of customers to their platform every few weeks with revenue growing 30% monthly.

Key to their success has been driving exponential growth in traffic to their website (with above average conversion rates) and by offering larger delivery, dispensary and product companies a reliable solution for acquiring and keeping customers.

Origins

HelloMD was originally launched in 2013 as a telehealth platform serving more conventional markets. Specifically, HelloMD was connecting affluent residents of emerging countries with the best doctors in the USA.  This served patients well, given the lesser options in their own countries. It also served the doctors well by creating secondary sources of revenue without having to deal with insurance companies.

While the concept was quickly validated by demand, it was clear that the space was becoming saturated. At the same time, as the cannabis culture was exploding state-side, it became clear that a better opportunity existed, and one for which the company could leverage almost all of its investment to date – the platform, back-end, and the HelloMD brand.

After a short test, a full pivot to the medical cannabis space was decided. The legacy method of getting a physician’s recommendation was ripe for disruption, which the platform’s post-launch growth has continued to validate.

“These are the hallmarks of a top-tier Health & Wellness brand. That has been our goal, and it remains our vision,” said Mark Hadfield, HelloMD’s Founder and CEO. “As we grow, we shall continue building upon our brand such that HelloMD becomes synonymous with health and wellness through cannabis, and to become a premium brand in the industry as it grows and matures nationwide.”

How does it work?

Patients connect to a doctor from the comfort of their home or office, using just a smart-phone, tablet or laptop. The platform manages the initial data input from prospective patients, after which the patient is put in virtual queue to meet with one of HelloMD’s on-staff doctors, via integrated video chat.

During the pre-queue and queue process, should a patient need assistance, HelloMD concierge staff are able to join sessions in real-time and answer questions, or help as need be. The experience is as if a patient were actually at a physician’s office – and they are, only virtually. Assuming the patient has been approved, their digital recommendation (a fully legal medical cannabis recommendation) is stored privately in their user account – which they can access at any time – and subsequently a hard copy and ID card is sent out to their mailing address.

The total elapsed appointment time, end-to-end (including the form filling), is typically less than 30 minutes, and the service is available 7 days a week.

Product, delivery and dispensary partners seeking to grow and retain their customer base, integrate the HelloMD solution directly into their own websites – with their branding applied. This way, they no longer have to refuse service on the basis that a medical card has expired; instead they offer patients a telehealth consultation ‘on the spot,’ then continue with the sales process once the patient successfully completes their consult.

Who is it for?

HelloMD’s patient demographic covers a wide spectrum, although the company has observed a typical demographic that is 40+ years in age, evenly split male and female, professional, and exhausted by the demands of work, family and the relentless pace of life.

Common symptoms include stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and migraines with patients concerned with the quantity and toxicity of pharmaceuticals (or alcohol) that they have included in their diet to cope. All are seeking a more natural, holistic, and less-toxic alternative and are curious about the benefits of cannabis. HelloMD has also observed great interest from elderly people. Regardless, all of these are non-traditional cannabis consumers, and are indicative of a much larger demographic than the recreational [stoner] consumer.

Why would a customer use HelloMD over a competitor? Simple: Its ease to use, private, professional, and convenient. The service takes just 20-30 minutes to complete. Patients love the experience and provide 5-star reviews.

Solving Problems

Traditional healthcare is neither informed nor equipped to serve patients that may benefit from cannabis as a treatment option. Doctors are often ill-informed, or even hostile toward the subject. Patients are then left on their own to navigate this emerging landscape. Add to that, the fact that cannabis clinics tend to be located in sketchy neighborhoods, and do not offer quality medical consultations. All of this keeps many patients that have legitimate need for cannabis from participating in the market.

HelloMD offers the patient a discrete consultation with a knowledgeable doctor in the privacy of their own home – or wherever, and whenever, it is convenient for them. The entire process is quick, private, secure and fully legal in the states HelloMD operates.

Retailers of medical cannabis are faced with a limited addressable market; they can only sell to those patients that are compliant. HelloMD is solving that problem too, every day. Product, delivery and dispensary partners seeking to grow their customer base also love the service, as it removes the burden of regulatory compliance from them – and creates new customers.

Industry Leaders

HelloMD’s senior team is comprised of long-time entrepreneurs with successful track records in disrupting traditional market places and bringing highly innovative solutions to market. The team includes a top-tier-agency branding and marketing veteran, a skill critical to navigating this evolving yet controversial landscape. Also, HelloMD has a senior medical officer who brings his rigor and approach from the conventional medical side, ensuring that all doctors and processes are the most upstanding and credible in the industry.

Ultimately, the company’s approach is reaching an untapped market; those patients long put off by the long-standing brick & mortar clinic options are attracted by the convenience, discretion, safety, and credibility HelloMD offer. The result is a positive one for the industry as a whole. Every day, HelloMD is on-ramping net new cannabis consumers to the market.

Ultimate Vision

In the state of California, HelloMD has quickly become known as the preferred alternative for obtaining a medical cannabis recommendation, and is earning its reputation based on professionalism, trust and the high level of service offered to patients and partners.

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Cannabis is an amazing resource because it can go far beyond its native plant form. Cannabinoids are lipophilic, or fat-soluble, and can therefore be isolated and extracted in oil form and added to other solutions, or simply infused into an existing oil or butter.

Infused products like “special brownies” have long been popularized in pop culture, but a simple brownie is a bit of an insult to the remarkably innovative new infusion methods that have been developed in recent years. Products that are consistent, delicious, properly dosed and medically effective are hitting shelves in Washington, Colorado, and other medical cannabis states.

Here are five of the top national brands (alphabetically) in cannabis-infused products:

Bhang

In the world of cannabis edibles, Bhang Chocolates has been giving medical cannabis patients in California more “bang” for their buck for several years. They’re famous for their consistent dosing, smooth textured, high-quality chocolate paired with delicious and unique flavors. Now, after being acquired by Mentor Capital last year, the brand has expanded their line to include CBD chewing gum, oral sprays for both THC and CBD, and a new brand, Bhang Concentrates, which specifically deals with oil-filled vape pen cartridges and disposable vape pens.

One thing Bhang is doing better than anyone else in the oil cartridge game is the differentiation between their “Natural” and “Pure” cartridges. While many oil manufacturers add propylene glycol or other harmful fillers to their cartridges to increase volume and viscosity, Bhang does theirs with coconut oil, and also offers pure, unadulterated, additive-free pure oil cartridges.

Dixie Brands

Founded in Colorado in 2010, and recently expanded to the California market, Dixie Elixirs is a purveyor of THC-infused tinctures, capsules and other supplements, beverages, chocolate edibles, and topical pain relievers. Arguably one of the biggest “household name” brands in cannabis right now, their secret lies in a wealth of CO2 extraction experience and a commitment to triple-testing each batch of product in a laboratory.

The latest news from Dixie Brands is their foray into CBD-only products. Therabis, a series of CBD treatments for pets, will focus on treating separation anxiety, mobility and joint flexibility and itching – all common problems pet owners face. Aceso, a similar product for humans, will feature three proprietary blends; Wellness, Calm, and Soothe, to be formulated from unique and precise cannabinoid ratios in an oral spray or powder mix delivery system. These new CBD-only products will be available for sale nationwide.

EdiPure

Known by many as the “original” line of THC-infused candies, Edipure started in Denver way back in 2009, and their products have been stocked on California dispensary shelves for almost as long. The brand prides itself on producing accurately-dosed edibles without that lingering cannabis aftertaste. Most of their products come in familiar forms based on classic popular candies, like peach rings, gummy bears, and sour belts, to name a few.

Edipure was one of the “early expanders” into California and Washington, and though they have faced backlash over their products looking too similar to normal kids’ candy, with their name recognition in the community and the further evolution of compliant packaging, this brand is sure to have continued success. They’re already launching their next line – Edipure Organix, in a child-proof container.

G FarmaLabs

For a cannabis company to service all of the medical marijuana states is pretty impressive. G FarmaLabs is a producer of myriad branded products, including premium pre-rolled cone joints, vaporizer pen cartridges, and oil injectors. Strong working relationships nationwide allow the company to find high-quality, compliant licensing partners to work with in distributing their products to the largest number of patients.

The Liquid Gold edibles line builds on the excellent branding foundation laid down by the oil cartridge side of the company. G FarmaLabs’ proprietary oil is used to create dozens of delectable chocolate flavors, as well as less common confections such as peanut brittle and chocolate covered pretzels.

Mary’s Medicinals

Previously only available in Colorado and Washington, Mary’s expanded to California in June 2015, is launching in Oregon with the start of recreational sales there, and their website also lists Arizona, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont as “coming soon.” Talk about a brand that is way ahead of the curve, and growing fast.

Mary’s Medicinals takes pride in extracting the right cannabinoids from the plant and putting them to work for consumers in the form of capsules and transdermal pain treatments, including patches and topical solutions. With THC, CBD, and even CBN products to choose from, there’s a Mary’s product to help with almost any type of pain, inflammation or sleeplessness. Plus, the various products can be used together to create the perfect therapeutic cannabinoid ratio. If that’s not enough for you to consider the brand, they also create products for pet health.

Honorable Mentions

The following companies are smaller but still important ones to watch, as their original product ideas and exquisite branding will take them far beyond their local markets as cannabis consumption and commerce continue to become more accepted.

Cloud N9ne Syrup

Las Vegas-based Cloud N9ne Syrup is definitely a brand to watch as they fuse pop culture with sound cannabinoid science. The CBD-infused syrup is a nod to the “lean” of hip hop culture, but executing it in a much healthier way. While some may balk at the cultural reference, it’s fun, fresh, relevant, and the millennial demographic is absolutely eating it up. Certainly don’t write off every brand that references the counterculture – there’s a very good chance they know their target audience much better than you do. Plus, hemp-derived CBD-only products are having an easier time selling nationwide.

Craft Elixirs

Ever wanted a cannabis-infused cocktail? Obviously the mix of THC and alcohol can be uncomfortable and highly intoxicating for some, but for discerning mixologists, there’s definitely an appeal to a deliciously infused cannabis cocktail. In comes Seattle-based Craft Elixirs with their line of THC-infused simple syrups. From habanero, to coffee/chicory, to strawberry peppercorn, Craft Elixirs’ unique flavors will surely up the ante at your next gathering or dinner party. They also make edibles and an unmedicated simple syrup line as well, fulfilling all your desires for high-end adult treats. Future limited social consumption campaigns may very well bring these flavors to a bar or nightclub near you in the next couple of years!

Jane’s Brew

If you haven’t tried Jane’s Brew infused coffees and teas yet, you’re missing out. They have several different flavors, both THC- and CBD-based, all with a great taste that for the most part masks the flavor of cannabis. Products are currently available in dispensaries in Las Vegas, California, and even Amsterdam, and as one of, if not the first company to master infusing extracted cannabinoids into a convenient K-Cup, it’s obvious that this brand will continue to grow and expand. Jane promises a consistent dose with each product, and backs it up with laboratory testing.

Did your favorite brand make the list? Who else should we be watching?

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While recreational cannabis for adults is legal in a couple of states, medical dispensaries still dominate the industry landscape nationally; and, the ancillary services companies that do business with them are some of the biggest upcoming brands to watch in the industry.

Whether your state allows you to profit from your dispensary, or mandates that you give back to the members in a nonprofit or cooperative model, money is still the bottom line in keeping your store open, and a big part of that is efficiency. A storefront or delivery service that is organized and streamlined in its business processes will ultimately see increased success and customer satisfaction – plus, most states are coming around to regulating the industry electronically, making tracking, finance and compliance software solutions in demand for the responsible dispensary owner.

Dispensaries still face several challenges, most prominently with processing payments and doing advertising or marketing, but here are some of the most innovative technologies hoping to make the experience easier for dispensary owners and ultimately their patients as well.

*Companies/Products listed in alphabetical order*

Agrisoft Seed to Sale

You’re moving cannabis from cultivation to the dispensary shelves, and the newest product from Kind Financial offers a unique compliance solution to track every step of the process.

Agrisoft meshes easily with your existing operations by assigning RFID bar codes to each plant specimen, creating a trackable life cycle for cannabis products that can be updated in real time. Kind has worked closely with financial compliance experts in developing this technology to make sure it’s the best it can be for dispensary owners.

CannabiScope

Software application that matches desired mental and physical effects to the strains available in your inventory, visualized so patients can explore.

Cannabis consumers are becoming more educated and discerning as to the various strains available and their effects – especially medical marijuana patients. Budtenders should be knowledgeable, but no one’s perfect. Having an iPad with CannabiScope displayed will give your patients an interactive experience that they can’t get anywhere else, and you’ll have an extra layer of security knowing that they are getting the appropriate strain for their needs.

CannaTrac

A transparent financial reporting system that helps you stay in the good graces of your chosen financial institution.

There is a misconception in our industry that banks will not work with cannabis companies. As a matter of fact, many financial institutions WILL work with dispensaries that can provide detailed records of each transaction while implementing proper standards and protocol to prevent diversion. CannaTrac’s system makes it possible to seamlessly track and report every transaction in a closed-loop network, keeping your business secure and compliant. The system integrates with many POS systems and comes with complementary tools like loyalty programs, a mobile app, and customizable cash cards for use in your dispensary.

Elemntal Digital Displays

This company has revolutionized the storefront display monitor, with patented Display CMDR technology that allows customers to update all their screens from one simple mobile platform, though the company is always standing by to help out.

Retail shop owners have long been attempting to use monitors as a menu, but these attempts pale in comparison to Elemntal’s smart design and high-quality imagery. The CMDR technology makes it possible to update every facet of your menu in real time. Clearly, the days of the chalkboard or whiteboard menu are gone.

Green Bits

An easy-to-use, integrated Point of Sale system for the iPad which is compliant in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, where they are already the primary POS for 45% of recreational stores. Also the runner-up at TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield 2015.

Tracking, selling, updating inventory, and reporting to government agencies takes a lot of time, as does training your budtenders on a computer system. Green Bits is compliant and easy to learn; it’s basically a turnkey POS solution. Plus, optional hardware complements the iPad to make you look professional and impress your customers. Support will be added soon for all medical cannabis states.

Headset

The up-and-coming big data analytics platform for the cannabis industry, from the founders of Leafly, providing actionable insights and market intelligence solutions for businesses.

The platform isn’t completed yet, but we know we’ll see great things from these seasoned founders. Market research is definitely about to explode in this industry, mostly because up until now there has never really been a wealth of data to analyze. Legal cannabis businesses have laid some serious digital groundwork in the past few years, and the data gathered by Headset will be applicable to better, more targeted advertising and easier identification of patient and consumer trends.

Hypur Pay Network

Hypur enables banking for cash-intensive businesses, like dispensaries, bringing them the ease, safety and legitimacy of traditional banking. Their complete compliance technology platform helps banks satisfy regulatory and compliance requirements, so that they can serve cash-intensive businesses with a seamless, automated platform.

Jane

What it is: A beautifully designed, quick-service kiosk that processes orders and payments for medicine and can be integrated with POS systems, mobile apps, and an armored courier service.

How it will help: Jane eliminates a lot of the financial obstacles faced by dispensaries by keeping track of orders and inventory in real-time, processing payments, and even linking up with a secured armored car to safely take the cash away. Jane will provide efficiency, transparency, with a sleek design that puts the traditional boxy ATM to shame.

Smoke Reports API

Open-source strain and product API for inventory tracking, marketing, application development and more.

Strain data gathering on the Internet has been going on for some time now, but unfortunately the data has not been available for public use. Smoke Reports has been crowdsourcing this info, doing their own genetics and market research, and are now releasing their comprehensive API to developers and dispensary owners alike, including local price point comparisons and their proprietary universal cannabis product codes (UCPC). A dispensary owner can use the data to power their in-store labeling system and daily menu, or manage and update their website without having to rely on someone else’s code.

Zazzz Vending Machine

This vending machine for dispensaries truly has it all. It scans government IDs as well as the prospective buyer’s facial features to ensure age verification. It dispenses and tracks purchases, and it even accepts Bitcoin.

As far as retailing products like edibles and vape cartridges, patients often want to get in and out of the store without a hassle. Having a Zazzz machine in your store could give valuable time back to your employees while increasing your revenue. American Green, the company behind the machine, says it is extremely secure and hopes it will be accepted out on the sidewalk outside the dispensary doors within the next few years.

Which of these technologies will have the biggest impact in the cannabis space? Who do you think is the most innovative and creative? Join the conversation and comment below!

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Cannabis Reports Provides Comprehensive Tools For Cannabis Businesses

At first glance, Cannabis Reports would appear to be yet another web-based, cannabis consumer platform for reviewing and sharing information about different cannabis strains. However, upon talking with CEO and Founder David Drake, it becomes clear that Cannabis Reports, and their industry leading API, offers a supreme peek behind the cannabis curtain to both businesses and consumers alike. On the business side, Cannabis Reports provides dispensaries with a number of invaluable tools that will improve product listings, pricing and market competition. On the production side, businesses can see what products are being sold at what price, with what THC percentage, and so on, so that they can choose to compete or fill an entirely different niche. Lastly, consumers can research and review strains, as well as search for different purchasing locations.

To sum up, Cannabis Reports, based out of the technology hub of America, the San Francisco Bay Area, is providing local businesses and consumers with a platform that is above and beyond most others in the space. But how does the site work and why are they doing it? I recently had the chance to talk with CEO David Drake, who walked me through a screen-share tour of all aspects that Cannabis Reports has to offer.

What’s the aim of Cannabis Reports?

DD: Our aim is to improve the relationship between people and cannabis through education, outreach and technology. I graduated with a software and theatre degree, and I was a teacher for many years before getting involved in the cannabis space. I believe that, by providing quality information to people, they will be able to support a very open cannabis future for everybody.

We are the first to put all this information together as comprehensively and as functionally as we have.

How did you go from teaching to cannabis?

DD: In 2006, I left a teaching job on the east coast to head out to San Francisco. On the way out, I picked up a job doing some programming in Montana and that is when I really got involved with the politics of cannabis. Soon after, I started Cannabis Reports so that we could trace the cannabis genetics all the way back to its origin. We realized we could figure out the landraces and seed companies these strains were coming from and that, by doing so, the platform would become a great source of information for both businesses and consumers. The site and the idea for Cannabis Reports has come a long way from where it first started, as I’ve relocated to San Francisco and the site has grown immensely.

Whats The API?

DD: One of the biggest challenges when building software for cannabis is that it’s a very diverse industry with not a lot of definition or precedence. Sure there are other companies in the space who are offering information, in pieces, that is similar to what we do. However, we are the first to put all this information together as comprehensively and as functionally as we have. In addition to our API, which is being updated every day, we came up with a universal cannabis product code and have over 17,000 organized strains, seed companies, extract companies, chocolate companies and other product companies.. Businesses are building apps on top of this technology and using it to do research.

Our tracking goes all the way back to the countries that the strains come from.

How Does SR Work For Consumers?      

DD: We did all the genetics work for all the strains, when you pull up a strain like Jack Herer, you see the seed company it comes from and the various strains that make up the parents. Our tracking goes all the way back to the countries that the strains come from. We ran the genetics as far back as we could for these strains, so users can know exactly what strains combined to form the strain they have now.

With this data and with all of this information, as you start to fill out reviews for strains, we start to build a personal profile for you. When you fill out a review, you fill it out for euphoria, appetite gain, creativity, calming, pain relief, and then anxiety. With our genetics information, we take your feedback and build a profile as to how individual strains impact you.

For example, in my profile you can see an Afghani Landrace, Colombian Landrace and Acapulco Gold. Even though I’ve never actually tried these before, I’ve experienced the genetics a number of times in other strains. We can start to make assumptions about how those will make you feel based on responses to related, or unrelated, strains. If you are searching for pain relief, Cannabis Reports can use your feedback to refresh you as to strains you have used before that may have worked, or even suggest different strains that contain the same genetics. You can even search by country of origin. This whole process really gets us back to talking about cannabis on a more interesting level.

How About Producers?

DD: In addition to being a resource for the average cannabis consumer, Cannabis Reports offers an in depth business platform where we provide plans for producers and dispensaries. You can sign up as a cultivator, chocolate maker, extract maker, delivery service or dispensary business for example. We have a different set of tools designed specifically for whatever side of the business your company is operating in.

Let’s take a company that makes cannabis chocolates for example. Of course they offer a customizable inventory platform, where businesses can track sales and trends. Cannabis Reports takes it further than that though. Businesses are encouraged to upload their lab testing, providing more transparency to the consumer side. Perhaps most important, SR uses a unique identifier called a universal cannabis product code(UCPC), so that businesses can get accurate, up to the minute data and market research.

Easy For Producers

This system tells businesses how well this particular chocolate bar is selling and what the different price points are. Businesses get all this information about their individual items so they can learn what their market looks like and how well their individual items are performing.

Additionally, businesses also get QR codes that they can add to their labeling. Consumers can scan this QR code with their phone and it’ll take you directly to the product’s website, where you can find product information, photos, add a review, find more locations where the product is for sale or get a lab test result. They also get bar codes that they can use for inventory purposes and for tracking purposes. These are all very powerful tools for businesses to have.

And Dispensaries?

DD: Dispensaries get the most data and a couple more powerful tools. They of course get their normal, feature pages where they have the menu listing and reviews. Their menus are set up and live managed by the businesses themselves, providing for real time inventory and product updates. The interface that dispensaries can use to manage their menu and add new products is fantastic. All the outside product information is preloaded, so as soon as you start typing in a name, your products come up. You can then add the product and set it at your price point. The platform pulls in all the other information about that product with no further need from the dispensary.

If businesses want to know the market data of Chiesel as a strain, they’ve got it. If they want to add a new edible to their system and they don’t know how to price it, they can hop in and see, “What are the prices around me?” And be able to determine what their prices should be. Additionally, it’s super easy for them to add stuff new products. If they want to add Kiva products, they type it in and we already have all the photos and descriptions loaded up. It’s just a couple clicks away.

Valuable For Dispensaries

Market Data

DD: Another great tool that Cannabis Reports has worked into the backend of its system is comparative market data. Businesses can see how they’re performing compared to other locations around them as well as the market as a whole. Then, they can look for new and exciting products in the area, which locations are selling them and exactly how much they should be paying for that product.

If your chocolate company wanted to come out with a new chocolate, they can look at the area and see price per milligram of chocolates right now. Our data might show that nobody has a 150 or 300 mg chocolate out, so that could be a good gap to fill. Additionally, producers get a list of all the dispensaries around them, so they can have their sales team expand their product availability. Plus, once a dispensary picks up your product, the producers can actually add themselves to dispensaries.

With our genetics information, we take your feedback and build a profile as to how individual strains impact you.

As they start to grow and enter new locations, they don’t have to wait for the dispensary to go update their menu. They can just say, “We’re available here now.” Then they can add the availability and their items to that menu so that that information is up to date. This is a great way for producers to really legitimize themselves and get their lab tests and information out to the public. It’s very inexpensive and we don’t sneak in add-ons. It’s all there for a low monthly cost.

They get this information for edibles, extracts, product, everything. The dispensaries get a whole bunch of really cool data, and then they can get all of their information out through our API. Our API is completely documented so we have 17,000 products, strains and extracts. This is available for them to build on so they can get all of their data out. They can use this platform to power their website and their internal menu.

This is a great way for producers to really legitimize themselves and get their lab tests and information out to the public.

UCPC

DD: Perhaps the most valuable tool to this process is the access to the universal cannabis product code. One the main challenges we faced was how to organize all this data that we were collecting. We worked with producers to come up with a 25-digit code. In it we encoded the location that the strain came from, the strain itself, company who made it, product name and then the batch number. We have the ability to track batches of product so that people can upload new lab tests or new product information.

You really get to track where the actual product came from and get a usable code to use, which is great for consumer safety, if you need to do a recall, you can actually identify it by batch number or by company or by product. This system is currently being adopted by a number of different businesses and we are in talks with a number of different states that are interested in our tracking platform.

For more video information, visit here. What do you think is the best application of a technology like Cannabis Reports? Join the conversation and comment below!

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Derek Kesek – CEO and Founder of Hempearth Group Ltd.

The dream of Derek Kesek, CEO and Founder of Hempearth Group Ltd., is to create a more progressive society where everyone can live in a culture of abundance. His approach has him creating some of the first hemp products to ever exist in their category. Perhaps the biggest creation is that of the hemp airplane, an aircraft that will consist of no less than seventy-five percent hemp. The final product will be lighter, stronger and exponentially more eco-friendly, all without sacrificing quality or functionality. But why? What led Derek to this, that a hemp plane could be possible? Well, we caught up recently, right before he was about to get on a plane oddly enough, so that he could fill us in on exactly what a hemp airplane is and how it will impact the global future of the world.  

Why did you choose to get involved with the hemp business?

I entered this industry because saw that there was a huge opportunity for all of humanity. I’ve been an entrepreneur since 2002, when I opened my first business, an organic restaurant. I was a bit of an activist at the time. The restaurant was well received and I learned a good deal from it. I had some pretty big events happening with what I was doing. For example, I organized a project where David Suzuki, a globally recognized environmentalist, spoke at our restaurant as a guest speaker in front of hundreds of people. That was my first inclination as to how much I could impact the environment if I entered the right space.

Through the creation of Hempearth, I knew we could draw a lot of attention to the plant.

In 2011, I saw an opportunity in the hemp industry and I went for it. I realized I could have a great impact on the earth as a whole, in addition to being able to create a lifestyle for myself. Hemp is an amazing plant. It’s eco-friendly, green and sustainable. It sucks the toxins from the ground and gives us back carbon and oxygen. The Egyptians made great use of the hemp plant throughout their history. In my personal opinion, I think that some of the pyramids are made from hemp. That’s how they could actually move these enormous stones. I’ve picked up a Hempcrete brick. It’s super, super light, but very strong. 

Through the creation of Hempearth, I knew we could draw a lot of attention to the plant. We could get people interested in it. We could get kids interested in it and lay the foundation for hemp being part of the world and not such a foreign idea. When I first started out, I saw a lot of people like, “We got to fight this, we got to fight that and we’re fighting.” Fighting doesn’t work. Fighting creates resistance.

What were you doing before you got into the hemp business. How do you think that helped you to where you are today?

I’ve been an entrepreneur since 2002. Since I was a kid I just knew that there was something big I would accomplish when I grew up. I had mixed up dreams and visions about what it might be. 

I got the entrepreneur itch while running the restaurant. After we closed, I worked some factory jobs before deciding to go back to school, where I got into social work. I actually saw what the system was like. How they were treating kids and adults. I saw that they are managing their patients by keeping them sick. They’re not curing disease. They’re not curing ailments or anything like that. If you didn’t know any better, you would say they are providing a prison housing for these people. I was in group homes with young children and I saw firsthand how poorly these kids were being feed and taken care of.

Hemp can create over thirty thousand products. And that is just current day.

At lunchtime they were handing out pills that were supposed to ‘help’ the children. Perhaps just as sad is that they didn’t have any real programs that they could take part in. They would take them skating once in a while, but when they got back from skating they would give the children drugs again. So they were really never given an opportunity to get better, rather they were just being babysat. They’re being dumbed down.

I left that pursuit when I saw the value of what hemp could do medically. Almost daily, I was coming across videos and articles that broke down how hemp could help nearly all aspects of society. Additionally, I got an opportunity to meet some very interesting and influential people in the industry. Through all of this, I grew to understand the larger implications of a successful hemp industry. Hemp can create over thirty thousand products. And that is just current day. Who knows how much hemp will be able to help the planet as research continues?

Now you founded Hempearth. What’s the mission of Hempearth? What do you sum it up as?

Our mission is to create global awareness for the hemp plant. That is what drives our brand. We want to create a massive awareness worldwide so when you say, “Hemp.” They say, “Oh yeah! I know what hemp is.” We believe, by creating that knowledge, we will also create a world of abundance for humanity. Everyone deserves to have a beautiful life because abundance is everywhere.

How are you funding the world’s first hemp airplane? 

I’ve been funding it myself the last four years. I do a lot of business consulting which has enabled me to fund this project. Outside of my funding, we have raised capital from a number of different sources so far. All those sources will be getting their names on the plane. Beyond that, I have roughly five investors right now banging on our door. We just had to complete a structured business plan to give to them.

Our mission is to create global awareness for the hemp plant.

Can you talk about the ins and outs of the hemp plane? What specific parts of the plane will be made from hemp? 

The plane will be built from seventy-five percent hemp and will run on hemp ethanol or diesel. The choice of engine will be made by the consumer, who can choose either a diesel engine or regular engine that will run on ethanol. Ethanol can be made out of all kinds of sustainable plants, like corn or hemp.

The outer structure of the plane will be entirely from hemp (panels, wings, etc.). Inside, items like the seats, fabrics and safety belts will be entirely hemp. Of course, there might be some small little pieces in there that are not hemp, but our contract agreement with the plane’s manufacturer states the plane has to be built from at least seventy-five percent hemp.  

It will also run on regular ethanol. That way, if a consumer purchases a plane but can’t get access to hemp fuel, which might happen in the short-term, than they’ll at least be able to pump it with regular ethanol. We’re definitely headed in a direction of hemp fuel, but we wanted to make sure we covered every scenario for our consumers along the way. We have worked with some unbelievable people along the way and we are so excited to be approaching the first flight on Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Hemp is undetectable by radar, so it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the military was using it in their ships and planes, especially the stealth bombers.

Now what was the main motivation for you? Did you simply wake up and say ‘I want to make a plane out of hemp’? When did that moment happen?

Actually, I was just sitting in my car and I said, “What has no one ever done out of hemp and what creates the most awareness possible in this reality?…Well people really like planes.” And it is true. Kids like planes. Adults like planes. I thought this would be an interest to people of all ages.

I always knew that I would eventually come up with a really good idea, and this was it. I said, “Oh wow! I’ll make a plane.” I did some searching and saw there was a spitfire airplane in 1943 that had a bit of hemp in it and I’m sure that the military is currently using hemp, but they just don’t announce it. Hemp is undetectable by radar, so it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the military was using it in their ships and planes, especially the stealth bombers.

I have a good friend in the industry named Kevin Hodge. He is the owner of a company called Hemp Adobe Homes. They’re building structures out of hemp and he’s got a very interesting ‘honeycomb’ technique. He directed me towards some lighter aircraft companies and I started calling around to talk to them about building this plane. Many of them laughed at me. Finally, I had one that was like, “Ok, we agree with your vision.” Our lawyer put the contract together and I flew down to Florida to sign it publically, so that everyone could follow along with this new and exciting project.

When we launch and our plane is flying over the Wright Brothers memorial sight, I’m sure that it’s going to create a lot more awareness for industrial hemp.

Sure, the hemp plane idea is ‘new’, but I don’t want to put out the impression that I designed this plane. I didn’t start from scratch. The manufacturers already had a design that we thought would work perfect. It’s a great aircraft. It’s sleek, looks great and is obviously creating a buzz. When we launch and our plane is flying over the Wright Brothers memorial sight, I’m sure that it’s going to create a lot more awareness for industrial hemp.

If you had to sit in a room with a critic of this project and compare a typical plane to one made out of hemp. What would be the benefits of the plane made out of hemp?

Lighter, stronger and eco-friendly. It’s green and it’s a sustainable product. Seventy-five percent of that plane will eventually disappear into the ground because hemp is biodegradable. In addition to the hemp application, we have also found an eco-friendly resin we can use in the process. So we are not using the standard fiberglass. Instead, we are using a sap resin because it is a sustainable product and our goal is to create a culture of abundance for the world. We don’t want to constantly suck up resources if we can use other options more responsibly.

Seventy-five percent of that plane will eventually disappear into the ground because hemp is biodegradable.

I was recently at a big conference in Toronto, where I learned that the coal industry is slowly but surely going away. I loved hearing this because it means we are going to stop taking from the earth. Instead of taking, we can grow what we need. I think we should convert all coal miners into hemp cultivators. They’ll just cultivate plants that they can just keep growing, growing, and growing. These plants give us oxygen. They clean our soil and they doesn’t take from the earth. We can keep having a nice planet instead of slowly destroying it.

Is there a timeline on the first flight?

Spring 2016

This launch will be the first flight from the memorial site of the Wright Brothers. I booked an airport and we got permission to launch the aircraft from that memorial sight, which is rare. Normally, you can’t launch your plane from this location, but I got permission. These guys, some could have been in their ninety’s, saw the value of what we were doing and gave us an exclusive chance to make it happen. We will not be allowed to have a public event, but we will have a variety of cameras there and a live online stream where people can watch everything as it happens.

What is the longterm goal once the first plane is finished?

This is just a prototype for us to build a larger scale production. After we complete the initial aircraft, we will be create a line of these planes, wholesale a few of them and then approach a bigger producer like Boeing for example. UPS is interested in hemp in their aircraft as well. Someone had to step over this imaginary line and say, “Hey, look at how much better we can do this.” Once we launch and these companies see how useful, cost effective and fully functional these planes can be, you can imagine the people that’ll be approaching us.

What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?

Since I was a kid, I have always been self-aware. I always knew that the status quo in our society is not right. Life can be much, much better than this, especially as it pertains to social norm, belief systems and other problems on a macro scale. The way our society is set up right now, you can get stuck doing what you are doing if you are not careful. I always knew I did not want a ‘standard’ job. I was in a band for ten years, did some pretty cool gigs and played with some pretty cool people.

Most people aren’t passionate about what they’re doing so it creates a lot of pain and suffering.

I always caught myself looking around and seeing people miserable, working a job that they hated. I think people should be doing things that they love. Most people aren’t passionate about what they’re doing so it creates a lot of pain and suffering. It creates a poor reality for them and then it creates an unhealthy consciousness, but that’s switching. People are waking up now. They’re saying, “Hey, I don’t have to do this. I’m quitting my job. I’m doing this and that’s it.”

There’s been a huge shift in consciousness since 2012 and the Mayan calendar was definitely right. Something happened in that year where society changed. Social media and global connections became more possible then ever before and I think a part of society that needed to be improved was born.

How about what is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Never give up.

A while back, I was inspired by a gentleman who gave the shortest speech I’ve ever heard. This guy saunters out on stage and everyone was expecting a big speech. Instead, he simply said, “Never give up” and walked off the stage.

How about a favorite book? Do you have a favorite book that you’ve read that you can share with us? Either on being an entrepreneur or just personal?

‘The Nature of Personal Reality’- by Jane Roberts

It basically explains that you create your own reality. Your belief systems combine with your speech to create your reality. I’m creating an awesome one by my thoughts, beliefs and words. I’m very karmic that way. I don’t care who you are, my goal is to help people and that is why I work to create a more positive society for everyone.

If you actually take a minute and look around, there are miracles happening all around you everyday.

Did I hear you say that you make water boards too?

We’re making SUP boards (Stand Up Paddleboards). I started a sub brand called, Hempearth Water. We will eventually cover all water sports, but for now, we started with a SUP board. It’s a new and very interesting concept. Stand up paddleboards is a big industry. They are like a surfboard, but they use a paddle. It is a very fun sport to watch and I will soon have a face to go with this brand. Keep your eye out!

One of the things you said before we started the interview was, “If you put it out there, the universe will make it happen.” What do you mean?

It’s very, very amazing. Miracles happen every moment in peoples’ lives but they are usually pacified by those who experience them. They’ll be, “Oh, that’s not a miracle that electricity is keeping our lights on.” or “That’s not a miracle that I’m waking up and I’m breathing oxygen.”

If you actually take a minute and look around, there are miracles happening all around you everyday. This is where I am at right now. I have been given a chance to help create some of these miracles. These hemp applications benefit everyone.

You’re from Canada. Is Hempearth located in Canada as well?

Yes, I was born and raised in Canada. While the idea for Hempearth originated with me while I was in Canada, I was in Costa Rica about a month or two ago speaking at a big conference called CannaCosta. I spoke in front of a big crowd and I saw a great opportunity to combine our hemp aspirations with what Costa Rica was doing. So we relocated the address of Hempearth to Costa Rica. I would consider Hempearth a global company, however, because I have a collection of quality coworkers who operate all over the globe. After all, cannabis and hemp are turning into global businesses, so you have to be willing and able to cover everything if you want to stay ahead of the game.

This guy saunters out on stage and everyone was expecting a big speech. Instead, he simply said, “Never give up” and walked off the stage.

Have you encountered any issues or setbacks because you are operating on a multi-national level?

No. Everyone is legalizing it. The US is legalizing it. Europe is legalizing it. Britain is just about to legalize it. Costa Rica is just about to legalize cannabis for medical purposes and hemp as well. Nothing is getting in the way. It’s just like a magic carpet ride. It’s amazing.

What do you think about the first hemp plane bring built? Do you think it could revolutionize air travel? Join the conversation and comment below!

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NoGoo Takes the Icky Out of Sticky

NoGoo Non-Stick products have revolutionized the way in which cannabis concentrates are carried and stored. Their product line, created by Jon ‘Jonny B’ Braveman, consists of platinum cured medical grade silicone containers that truly take the icky out of sticky. A cannabis user himself, Jonny B was inspired to create a solution to a widespread problem in the market. People were throwing away their purchase! Before the development and application of NoGoo, consumers were losing up to 5% of their product on average when they would throw away their disposable plastic concentrate container (just like peanut butter). NoGoo Non-Stick Products are taking over the cannabis market, shipping all over the U.S. as well as seven different countries worldwide. With future legalization all over the world seemingly a foregone conclusion, NoGoo plans to be there to provide the world with a convenient, non-stick and reusable product so cannabis consumers can truly get what they pay for.

What is NoGoo?

Plain and simple, NoGoo takes the icky out of sticky. NoGoo is a series of non stick silicone products to be used by the rapidly expanding cannabis concentrates market.

Problem Solved!

NoGoo solves the problem of money loss and product waste. Before NoGoo, concentrates sold at dispensaries came in disposable plastic jars, which resulted in concentrates sticking to the plastic, similar to how peanut butter sticks to the inside of the jar. Customers all over the world were losing out on their investment every time they threw away a jar, averaging up to 5% product loss per container! This was an expensive problem to have because, unlike peanut butter, concentrates can be very expensive. NoGoo Non-Stick Products allow the consumer to use the entire product they purchase, not some.

Jonny B set out to rid the world of inefficient, disposable plastic jars and replace them with NoGoo, a reusable, non-stick silicone jar.

The ‘Ah Ha!’ Moment

The creator of NoGoo, Jon ‘Jonny B’ Braveman had his ‘Eureka’ moment over five years ago while working on a project in San Diego, California. At the time, Jonny B was the owner of a sole product, The Digger One Hitter. He had ventured out west to develop a line of silicone ashtrays, so consumers could tap out their glass pipe without breaking it on a glass ashtray.

Around that same time, concentrates were beginning to make a big entrance into the cannabis market. That’s when he and his friends noticed that unlike glass or plastic, the concentrates wouldn’t stick to the silicone. So Jonny B set out to rid the world of inefficient, disposable plastic jars and replace them with NoGoo, a reusable, non-stick silicone jar.

How It Works

NoGoo Non-Stick Products are made from platinum cured medical grade silicone, the highest quality silicone on the market today. The silicone provides a non-stick surface, allowing the consumer to collect and use 100% of the product they have purchased. NoGoo comes in an assortment of sizes and colors to fit every need in the market. Additionally, containers come with a patent-pending threaded top, so as not to unscrew in your pocket for example. A pocket full of goo is a messy and sticky situation. NoGoo solves that problem.

The product is designed by the consumer, for the consumer and NoGoo is diligently keeping their ear to the ground so that they can keep you ahead of an ever-changing cannabis landscape.

Who’s NoGoo For?

NoGoo is for everybody that consumes concentrates.

Much of the medical cannabis industry is going towards the way of concentrates, as they cut out many of the harmful carcinogens associated with the smoking of the cannabis flower. Furthermore, non-medical cannabis consumers are seeing the impact of concentrates as well. Given the natural foods movement that is evolving concurrently with the cannabis industry, one can easily predict that the more health oriented cannabis concentrate market will certainly grow quickly in the foreseeable future. To quote Jonny B, ‘The real medicine is the concentrate. It is going to be a big part of the future and NoGoo wants to be right there to take care of people’.

NoGoo is positioning itself to do just that. In an industry that values quality and transparency, NoGoo has passed both of those tests with flying colors. The products are made with platinum cured medical grade silicone, which is the finest quality available on the market. And the people? NoGoo’s group of professionals have been around the cannabis industry for a long time and they make their products with a real passion. More importantly, they live the brand. The product is designed by the consumer, for the consumer and NoGoo is diligently keeping their ear to the ground so that they can keep you ahead of an ever-changing cannabis landscape.

Best Marketing Tactic

NoGoo has experienced its greatest success via its distribution network. By working with large-scale distributors they have been able to work collaboratively with multiple brands, allowing them to effectively market one another to a higher level. Also, Jonny B travels all over the world, attending tradeshows and expos where he builds face to face relationships with people from all walks of life. Jonny believes that, if you sell yourself to people first, then the product will sell itself. NoGoo, and its founder Jonny B, are cannabis consumers as well as professionals and they are actively involved in the feedback and trends of the cannabis community. That transparency is a big reason why NoGoo is seeing such a positive market response.

Current Impact And Future Vision

NoGoo has created a new genre in the cannabis category. Currently, many companies are trying to develop or have developed silicone products in an attempt to compete with NoGoo’s success. However, given the head start and industry leading notoriety of NoGoo, they are positioned to stay well ahead of the game.

“We are always looking down the road, working on new products all the time.” – Jon ‘Jonny B’ Braveman

The long-term vision for NoGoo is worldwide distribution. NoGoo already ships to seven countries around the globe and all states within the U.S. Upcoming legalization efforts around the world, combined with a growing consumer demand for concentrated cannabis, means that the market for a non-stick, platinum cured medical grade silicone container will only grow with time. Fortunately for NoGoo and Jonny B, the manufacturing and distribution channels are in place and they are poised to impact the global cannabis market, whenever it arrives.

What do you think is the best marketing tactic in the cannabis industry? How would you market a product like NoGoo? Join the conversation and comment below!

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